It won't be restored to its "former" glory if he goes with modern design schemes. It'll loose everything that currently, makes it charming. Just saying. My Retro/Vintage Best. Out.
@laynie sammy n lilah : Too much minimalism, too much damn white, and too much open concept in modern, design, schemes. Far, far, too much of it. You can have beauty, charm and order without going that route. It's high, time to present alternatives to this now. Out.
As a sentimental person it just seems so unimaginable that all those belongings sat untouched and forgotten for years while life moved on around them. What a strange feeling, I bet I would get goose bumps walking through all of that. Sad that the children were unable or didn't want to inherit it, but good that you are restoring.
@@nopewow5342 This is the only explanation I personally think of. In later videos you see how many personal items he finds, many of them are things that would surely be valuable to the children, stuff like Photo albums, things from when they were kids, that sort of stuff. I'm surprised that the government wouldn't let them at least claim personal items.
Imagine someone worked hard to acquire all those items. Probably worked overtimes, weekends, holidays. Acquiring material stuff. And one day, they just pass away. Everything that they worked for remains there, but their own essence is gone. Life is amazing journey, isn't it?
The roofing is the scary part, to me. Beautiful, but looks costly to repair/replace. But yes, what a house! And what a property, by Japan standards especially. Most building lots there seem tiny, flat, and covered with barren gravel.
@@veramae4098 to make it brand new. likely. well, is pretty quick though if in Japan. since the building was never build to be as big as the once in western world. most of the materials are light weight, aside from a few that is very dense high quality as the part for foundation. then again, I can't comment on that due to there are a lot of designs people can go for.
MAn these are the best videos RUclips has ever recommended to me. These rooms have something so surreal and strangely sad about them, its hard so hard to describe
Well lucky for you this is quite common, I’m sure you can find a gorgeous house that has been abandoned for similar reasons. Maybe it’s time to make a life changing risk, or possibly not. Well wishes
A Boz: I would absolutely love to someday move to Japan and live in a house like this! After I get some things sorted of course. I very recently fell in love with japan when I visited for the first time. It would be wonderful to stay there ( * ˊᵕˋ )
@@aboz8649 and TheJiamy. There are 1000s of houses like that all over Japan. You can choose your area. And they are ridiculously cheap. Depending on how much land goes with this particular property I would say it's probably USD 50k - 100k.
I’m inheriting a very similar house in Yamaguchi prefecture when my grandfather passes away, the only difference being that his house is on the side of a mountain. These videos have been really helpful for me in preparing to take ownership of the house, which sadly may happen soon given my grandfather is 95 now.
@@1chibanKasuga He’s 98 now and still going strong! He doesn’t live in the house any more and I’m planning to restore it in the next few years, hopefully with his supervision :)
The main entrance and its architecture are outstanding. Each detail reflects its original owner love for his house- home. Cant imagine how many memories full of love were lived here. Definitely an Amazing house. Hoping that the renovation will enhance its unique beauty!! There are so many things that look as junk but are so valuable treasures in great japanese artisan hands . Blessings in this journey!!
It makes me so happy knowing that time and energy and effort is going into taking care and restoring this beautiful home... so sad to imagine how the place has been left neglected and collecting dust for five years, but not anymore. It’s really lucky to have you.
It's amazing going back and seeing how much you've improved the property. It looks like a completely different home now. It's absolutely gorgeous, and I would love a home of this style, but it's not practical where I live. Love from Canada!
a beautiful place, a historical place, a place full of beautiful stories, how many beautiful things, old machines, it's a wonderful place, it's a piece of history, incredible
Congrats on such an amazing find - it looks like everything is exactly as it was left all those years ago. Obviously the people in that region value honesty, integrity, and respect for others.
6:36 I'd keep that step ladder and anything antique like that. 9:21 those wagon wheels too, they look great after you restore them. Keep any of the antique wooden apple boxes etc. too, they're worth like a hundred buck now, you can clean them up and use them. If there are any bee keeping boxes, you can keep those and use them as well, for bees, or even rent them out to farmers, have a little bee business on the side.
Yes, have kept the ladder and the wooden ash boxes. Nice spot with the wagon wheels, have got them safely tucked away for restoration later. Plan to hang one on the outside of the 2 story shed.
this is so cool. when I was a bit younger I watched the Japanese movie wolf children and in the movie the mother buys an abandoned farm house and restablishes it and ever since I've wanted to do the same. such a great thing to do
That is nice house and property. Just be careful what of that "junk" you throw away. Some of it can have real value as vintage items. Those can be sold for substantial money. Though it may be difficult to spot those valuable items. :)
In the beginning of the video I was like "This scenery looks familiar..." And then he said Southern Ibaraki ( and I saw the car's plate). 3 years ago but I know my Ibaraki well, it's an awesome area and I dream on living there again. Awesome channel by the way
Seeing this kinda makes me sad. The farmers' family who grew up there who doesn't want to inherit the property is like they are throwing all the memories they shared in that house... But I know its difficult with taxes and everything... It's just seeing this really makes me sad. It's a good thing that you found this house. Maybe the previous owner who passed away is happy now that though his family didn't inherit the property, a new family will be living there and the beautiful house they built will not go to waste. I cant wait to see the results of your renovation to your new home.
What I get from the video and the commentary. Somebody worked really hard to build something a home to be proud of for the generations. A dream. Then the generations just moved on an changed, an what had been created no longer had any worth an it all just stagnated. Had no worth. Maybe perhaps.
I agree. It made me cry. All this "junk" once held sentimental value to someone. I hope his children wanted to keep this house if the taxes weren't high.
That was a very expensively built house back in the day, looks like good timbers still. I empathize with the 'clear-up' prospect though, .......4 years into my own 'abandoned farmhouse' saga here in the mountains of Shikoku , I'm still clearing out and finding things in boxes. I'd suggest you buy a little cheap 'K' truck and do it yourself, .....slowly. Only just found your channel, so I'll have to catch up on your progress, ......good luck, ....and again, that's a great house !
Thanks very much! I haven’t made it down to Shikoku yet, but definitely on my list. Would have loved to have got a place in the mountains but were constrained to this area. I’ve been thinking about getting a kei truck - been renting one from time to time but would be more convenient to have my own. In regards to the house, yeah, it would have been pretty expensive. We came across some receipts in the tidy up - can’t remember the exact figure but it was 40-50 million...
@@TokyoLlama You look pretty tall, so you've found out about driving Kei trucks meant for smaller people. I have 4 locally assembled Suzukis here in Burma. An American visitor is 6'5" and has to use several inches of cushions to drive. The abandoned cars may be good value and require little more than an oil change, battery, and maybe fresh gas. But I would suspect the Japanese government does not make it easy to keep older vehicles on the road, or transfer titles.
As a former resident of Shikoku (eastern Ehime), I can't help but be biased, but I think the areas around the Setouchi Sea are some of the most beautiful in all of Japan. Ride from Hiroshima to Ehime on the Shimanami Kaido and you'll see. Every region in Japan could say it's unique and special, but this proud Mikan can't help but sing the praises of Shikoku to all who might listen.
@@fixt100 , now somebody is making a lot of sense in keeping costs down , as that is away from big centers ( I assume ) it should not be difficult to get it going as part of the estates property , even by Japan standards. Anyway good luck to the owner and put is "back to work"
My knowledge of Japanese homes is derived from movies and anime. Just from this clip I was pleased to recognize construction styles and features familiar from those sources. This appears to be traditional style construction and depending on your budget and enthusiasm it could become an enviable property. Perhaps there's a magic Go board hidden in one of those sheds.
I saw this video so long ago but came back today for inspiration, since I'm about to buy one of my own. Seeing where you were at the beginning and how far you've come is amazing.
You got your hands full, but it is totally do-able. I have done a project similar in the US. It took literally five 40 yard dumpsters just to clear out just the trash in all the buildings. Then took almost 2 months just to tackle the brush and overgrowth. Finally it was under control, then the remodeling began. The journey was rough and in the beginning seemed daunting, but soo satisfying along the way watching the transformation and the feelings of little accomplishments along the way. In the end was almost sad it was finished. haha
@@claritoresdiano1021 One other Japanese person bid on the house, and my wife, who's Japanese, bought it. But most Japanese wouldn't be interested in clearing up such a mess, or having such a large block of land.
WOW, the wood work alone makes this unbelievable farm a jewel!!! The age and the joinery of the structures! So beautiful and magical! I guess as a dreamer I see what it was and what it could be again. Having built two homes and desiring to build another I am awe struck with the ideas of incorporating such a design into our next tiny home! Also here in The EU, Italy we can no longer find any ORGANIC Tofu, if it is found the prices are frightening! Non GMO and organic Tofu is presious! So many of us have almost forgotten what it tastes like! Seems with your command of English and the fact that there is an out door kitchen, perhaps a revival may be a very good idea!
The EU, along with the UN, is one of the most disastrous mistakes of modern history. The damage, economic and cultural, caused by that unholy globalist alliance might not ever be undone. It really is a shame to watch the birthplace of western civilization collapse into just another third world ghetto.
That is a very large property!!! Sad it didn't go to the children, but glad that you are there to own and restore it. I'm new to your channel, so excited to see what's next!
I'd love to hear what your wife thinks about this. Knowing Japanese women, you must have had to give her quite the sales pitch to get her to agree to move to the sticks.
Lol, you know Japanese women well then! Yes, it took a bit of convincing my long-suffering wife. But I was genuine in wanting to get space outside for the kids, and she wanted the same.
This house is beautiful! Abandoned buildings are almost always interesting, because in a way it's almost like an archaeological expedition - all the things left behind, coupled with the features of the house itself. If buildings could talk, I'm sure this one would have plenty of stories to tell.
Definitely - we’ve discovered many interesting and useful things since buying the place. There are stories for sure, the neighbours have filled us in with some details, but nothing too dramatic!
I watched all the videos! You and your family did a wonderful job refurbishing this house and yard! Thank you for showing this as it is absolutely interesting. I wish you and your wife a happy life and enjoy your new house!
Thank you for a very informative video on abandoned homes in Japan. My family and I are Aussies living in DC and we fell in love with Japan, we have been back so many times and we were interested in buying a house when I stumbled across your video. I don't think we will ever have the stomach to undertake such a big project (but we do that with properties here where we live) The risks sound too big for us and too long drawn. I would be so interested to see your finished house in the months to come!
Thanks for your comment! I do think it can be done more efficiently than we're doing - one of my reasons for doing these videos is to help with the process and make it easier for others thinking of doing the same. Though I can understand that it might have the opposite effect at this point! Maybe when it's done it will be more encouraging... Once we've finished I'll put a video of the whole process and how to avoid some of the mistakes we've made.
@@TokyoLlama Thanks, on the contrary! I think that your video gives people a clearer idea whether it can be undertaken or not. All the best of luck on your renovations, it is a beautiful house, you struck gold with the traditional architecture.
Wow, your videos really transport viewers there! Only the smells are missing. Thank you so much for posting! I admire your courage to tackle such a massive clearing and restoring job. I'd be terrified of the amount of work needed - but I can also see why you're doing it. The house is absolutely stunning, and thankfully seems to be in good structural condition, and the whole place feels lovely if you can see past the junk and the overgrowth. It's great that you and your wife are breathing life back into this property. Keep up your amazing work and best of luck to you and your family!
It's kinda sad to watch and think that all the work these persons put up for this house, all the memories, everything will end up in the garbage, since it's not passed to family members. It's not like buying an empty used house, this has it's 'soul' or whatever you want to call it still attached to every single corner. I hope you and your family live happy in this house and turn it into a home.
Oh, WOW! This has so much potential for fun! Boatloads of hard work to realize your own transformation story!! Gorgeous. Be safety conscious & best of luck & grit & perseverance to you & your wife.
It is really a huge house and a huge garden - tho it could be challenging to keep such a big house warm in winter (cause as we all know "Winter is coming" - and winter is not really warm in Japan either unless one lives in Okinawa ... :D ) - what kind of heating system is installed already? I have heard that Japanese houses usually have a notoriously badly insulation so they can get rather cold in winter. On the other hand in summer it must be really pleasant, having all those slide-doors for a better air-circulation.
You're right, it's designed to be relatively cool in the summer and cold in the winter. We found lots of heaters, no other heating systems, and few fans. We're insulating the walls and floors, which should hopefully make it better, but still won't be up to modern western or Japanese standards.
I guess the Japanese plan is to gather all the family in a single room and just heat that one room. Which is not entirely a bad thing, yet it does seem crazy to see the Japanese fooling around pouring kerosene into portable heaters... like a temporary solution to a permanent problem!
Makes one think... You know we really can't take anything with us when we leave this existence. However this owner left something beautiful here for these fresh faced people. Arigatogozaimasu.
Same thoughts, couldn't help but imagine the time when the owner lived, things weren't dusty and plants weren't dry... just felt nostalgic over someone I've never met but suddenly missed... Also It's an overall beautiful house.
That is awesome. At nearly 70, I would still turn that yard around in a few days. The rest of it, well, that would be a work of art, as it ought to be. Very well done.
this is so sad, this family had the equipment to literally go farm to table for mochi. Patty fields, tractors, husk removers, rice washing machine, mallets of different sizes and 2 vans to transport the goods. All of those are really expensive, I don't think they bought them just to last 30 years. Not to mention they had sheds and an outdoor kitchen and toilets away from the family's house, probably for their workers.
This house replaced their previous, less impressive minka, so the family had been there for a couple of generations. A lot of the tools had been there before the house was built. In fact, the bathroom block was from the previous house. One of the neighbours, who we were friends with from before, and who gave us the inside information on the house before buying, was born in one of the sheds there.
i find this amazing but also quite maddening. it's a problem you see all over japan, where people just stubbornly refuse to believe that times change, and plan for the future as if the past is eternal. hand made mochi are really great but that's just not a part of life for anybody anymore and they won't regularly fork out extra money for them to make this a viable business. all over japan there are examples of ill-considered attempts to revive the past, which are always met with no more than a limited and very short-lived enthusiasm. it's sad that people are migrating to the cities, but that is the way things are.
And he remove all of that in the next vid. :( the rice grinder machine(idk the English name lol) is in good shape. And can do so much rice in once sitting. I hope i can have that.
I see so much potential. The architecture of the house is just amazing. I hope you continue to make videos through the restoration process, I can't wait to watch!
Ur right.. It needs to be clean and I have this feeling that he had the best out of his money..he can resell some of the space or lease it..its a wonderful place..I don't know why the children don't want to inherit it knowing that house and lot in Japan is so expensive that is why my friend just rent..or the family maybe so rich that is why they don't need it anymore..but if I am one of the children.. I would keep the place,restore.
I in vision a "Party Shed"! Cook outs or a Tea room where you could serve lunches or weddings. In-Laws guest house. This place has potential! BTW the big machine is for rice production, either hulling or drying.
Omg so many workshops! I absolutley love it! I would designate a certain area a little skate park, a woodshop for making boards. A screen printing area, the possibilities are endless. I wish I could have that!
Glad you felt the need to post this. So interesting. I'm in the US and I buy and sell houses. Abandonded housed here get sacked immediately. I saw someone else comment different culture. I would hope that's why your house survived. And i love the architectural element of this farm house. I believe I would have not hesitated to buy it either. Good luck to you and your wife and hope you have much joy there.
That is a lovely house and it will be even more beautiful after renovations. Congratulations on getting such a wonderful property at such a great price. I hope you'll post the finished product.
its kind of funny that people who live in the country side wants to live in the city and the city folk wants to live in the countryside its like a dog chasing it's own tail
I also am envious. Brings out the explorer in me. Yes I do enjoy a good pilfering. The vehicles easy fix, the architecture amazing. I'd work it for a season stay.
8:08 I think that machine back in there separates the rice from the hulls... it blows air (possibly by turning the crank wheel that is visible) and the lightweight hulls or chaff blow out through one chute while the denser rice grains fall more straight down into a different chute.
I found you Yesterday and I´m amazed. I saw Renovations of French Chateau and some Italian Houses but this is a whole new Level. Besides the Yunk and Trash, it´s in a quit good Condition and I´m excited to see how you bring it back to Life.
I love your house ! Yes it is a lot of work but it will be so great for your family.. It has been a dream of mine to do the same. I have been studying housing in Japan for the last two years in view of buying a holiday / retirement home for my wife and i. We were thinking Chiba or maybe Kyoto One concern for us is the heat in Japan during summer. I have experienced Japan in August once and wonder if we could survive it. Does your house have aircon ?
Thanks very much! Yes, I think if you do something like this you have to enjoy the work and the process. I can understand what you mean about the summer. It's very hot right now - everyday around 35 from morning to night. Kyoto is even hotter I've heard. The house doesn't have aircon right now. We're not sure if we're going to put it in - it's designed to be cool in the summer (but cold in winter). We may see how we go living in it next summer then decide.
@@TokyoLlamaHello and thanks for your prompt reply, . I am quite amazed at how many Japanese homes do not have insulation .It looked like there was some ceiling insulation in your attic clip. I take it there is none in the walls and floor. I have found a lot of Akiya sites listing homes, and you are right a lot are for rent rather than sale. I have looked through the Ibaraki vacant homes but its hard not knowing the areas. We would want a home with in walking/cycling distance of a railway station. Can you suggest an area in Ibaraki ? Keep those videos coming . I wish i could come and help, just a bit far from NZ.
That's right, there's no insulation in the walls and floor. Unless you want to live near Tokyo, I would live a bit further out in the mountains. North Ibaraki is underrated - it's got mountains as well as some decent beaches by Japanese standards. Not as far north, but I went cycling around Mt Tsukuba, and finished up in a small town called Iwase on the Mito line. That looked a nice area, and relatively close to Tochigi and the Urabandai, which are beautiful areas.
Speaks to the temporary existence and impermanence of man. What meant so much to someone is no more and to another so much. Cant wait to see it transformed. Great artists studio or colony.
Mate, that urinal is not connected to the sewerage so I'm going to have to fill that at some point and remove it. That section has become a pretty cool little firewood storage. Yes, already decided to turn it into a workshop (starting work on painting one of the rooms tomorrow), but not really sure what to do with the second floor, not really convenient for bigger tools or materials.
@@visalakshimahadevan612 Yep....the 1.75% that immigrants make up of the population of Japan is just hurting them so, so much. I just couldn't stand to believe how ANYONE could live in such a society, completely and utterly horrible....
nevermind fixing up the house. considering the place has been abandoned for five years, you've gotta clear a ton of vegetation from the property. and sort through everything out there, change the toilets at that outhouse/potential guest house, find the keys for those cars. though to be honest, the ceiling in the potential guest house looked solid enough despite the fact that the place had been abandoned for five years
Hello! Thank you so much for your time and effort to make these videos! It is very informative and honest and can help many people. My husband is also from Ibaraki, but we live in Tokyo now. We have been thinking on moving out of Tokyo for a few years now, so your information is very needed for people like us.
I really look forward to seeing this home restored to its former glory.
Thanks, should be ready by March next year.
Same here☺️and wanna see the process!
Mee too
It won't be restored to its "former" glory if he goes with modern design schemes. It'll loose everything that currently, makes it charming. Just saying.
My Retro/Vintage Best. Out.
@laynie sammy n lilah : Too much minimalism, too much damn white, and too much open concept in modern, design, schemes. Far, far, too much of it. You can have beauty, charm and order without going that route. It's high, time to present alternatives to this now. Out.
As a sentimental person it just seems so unimaginable that all those belongings sat untouched and forgotten for years while life moved on around them. What a strange feeling, I bet I would get goose bumps walking through all of that. Sad that the children were unable or didn't want to inherit it, but good that you are restoring.
Japanese don't have kids their culture is vanishing
They can't come and take anything unless you chose to inherit it. They chose not to so they can't claim anything from the property.
@@nopewow5342 This is the only explanation I personally think of. In later videos you see how many personal items he finds, many of them are things that would surely be valuable to the children, stuff like Photo albums, things from when they were kids, that sort of stuff. I'm surprised that the government wouldn't let them at least claim personal items.
Imagine someone worked hard to acquire all those items. Probably worked overtimes, weekends, holidays. Acquiring material stuff. And one day, they just pass away.
Everything that they worked for remains there, but their own essence is gone.
Life is amazing journey, isn't it?
great idea to buy a lost place, watch my japan videos and tell me how i can get the beach house . i would renovate the house on paradise island
This property is stunning, the amount of cleanup is staggering but I can see why you would find it worth it.
beenwandering
Fix the tractor and make quick work of it!
I would love to have a house like this. The roofing is beautiful.
and everything is in good condition.
it might need to cleaning and touching up; and That's all. That's worth it.
The roofing is the scary part, to me. Beautiful, but looks costly to repair/replace. But yes, what a house! And what a property, by Japan standards especially. Most building lots there seem tiny, flat, and covered with barren gravel.
@@qee540 This is probably going to take 3 years, very hard work, expensive, clean and fix up!
@@veramae4098 to make it brand new. likely.
well, is pretty quick though if in Japan. since the building was never build to be as big as the once in western world.
most of the materials are light weight, aside from a few that is very dense high quality as the part for foundation.
then again, I can't comment on that due to there are a lot of designs people can go for.
There is a lot of abandone house in japan specialy at country side
MAn these are the best videos RUclips has ever recommended to me. These rooms have something so surreal and strangely sad about them, its hard so hard to describe
I can’t... I can’t get over how stunning this building is. What I would give...
Well lucky for you this is quite common, I’m sure you can find a gorgeous house that has been abandoned for similar reasons.
Maybe it’s time to make a life changing risk, or possibly not.
Well wishes
A Boz: I would absolutely love to someday move to Japan and live in a house like this! After I get some things sorted of course.
I very recently fell in love with japan when I visited for the first time. It would be wonderful to stay there ( * ˊᵕˋ )
probably about 3 million YEN. :D
Petar Zivkovic: even if it were three million DOLLARS it would be cheaper than a lot of houses in my area :’)
@@aboz8649 and TheJiamy. There are 1000s of houses like that all over Japan. You can choose your area. And they are ridiculously cheap. Depending on how much land goes with this particular property I would say it's probably USD 50k - 100k.
I’m inheriting a very similar house in Yamaguchi prefecture when my grandfather passes away, the only difference being that his house is on the side of a mountain. These videos have been really helpful for me in preparing to take ownership of the house, which sadly may happen soon given my grandfather is 95 now.
and did it happen?
@@1chibanKasuga He’s 98 now and still going strong! He doesn’t live in the house any more and I’m planning to restore it in the next few years, hopefully with his supervision :)
@@岡山大木 great news :)
The main entrance and its architecture are outstanding. Each detail reflects its original owner love for his house- home. Cant imagine how many memories full of love were lived here. Definitely an Amazing house. Hoping that the renovation will enhance its unique beauty!! There are so many things that look as junk but are so valuable treasures in great japanese artisan hands . Blessings in this journey!!
It makes me so happy knowing that time and energy and effort is going into taking care and restoring this beautiful home... so sad to imagine how the place has been left neglected and collecting dust for five years, but not anymore. It’s really lucky to have you.
When I think about what Japan should look like, I imagine homes like this one. This is so beautiful to my eyes.
It's amazing going back and seeing how much you've improved the property. It looks like a completely different home now. It's absolutely gorgeous, and I would love a home of this style, but it's not practical where I live. Love from Canada!
a beautiful place, a historical place, a place full of beautiful stories, how many beautiful things, old machines, it's a wonderful place, it's a piece of history, incredible
Congrats on such an amazing find - it looks like everything is exactly as it was left all those years ago. Obviously the people in that region value honesty, integrity, and respect for others.
6:36 I'd keep that step ladder and anything antique like that. 9:21 those wagon wheels too, they look great after you restore them. Keep any of the antique wooden apple boxes etc. too, they're worth like a hundred buck now, you can clean them up and use them. If there are any bee keeping boxes, you can keep those and use them as well, for bees, or even rent them out to farmers, have a little bee business on the side.
Yes, have kept the ladder and the wooden ash boxes. Nice spot with the wagon wheels, have got them safely tucked away for restoration later. Plan to hang one on the outside of the 2 story shed.
this is so cool. when I was a bit younger I watched the Japanese movie wolf children and in the movie the mother buys an abandoned farm house and restablishes it and ever since I've wanted to do the same. such a great thing to do
That sounds really interesting - I'll have to check that movie out - thanks!
I am so glad someone like you and your family bought this home. To see it restored is wonderful. Has always been my dream to visit Japan.
As a fellow Aussie, how nice is it to walk around somewhere overgrown like that and not have to worry about being killed by the wildlife!
That is nice house and property. Just be careful what of that "junk" you throw away. Some of it can have real value as vintage items. Those can be sold for substantial money. Though it may be difficult to spot those valuable items. :)
In the beginning of the video I was like "This scenery looks familiar..." And then he said Southern Ibaraki ( and I saw the car's plate).
3 years ago but I know my Ibaraki well, it's an awesome area and I dream on living there again. Awesome channel by the way
Cool
Lol
I can see the potential that this property offers!! It’s a diamond in the rough!! All the best to you. Keep us posted on your progress.
I would genuinely love to just visit and spend a day as a voluntary tidier!
We could have done with your help a couple of months ago! We're now just getting ready for the kaitaiyasan to come in to clear the sheds.
lol
Yeah, send me a ticket and sign me up!
I was thinking the same thing!
@laynie sammy n lilah I'm going to guess the owner's children were the ones who sold the property.
You just hit a jackpot.. that place is huge.
Seeing this kinda makes me sad. The farmers' family who grew up there who doesn't want to inherit the property is like they are throwing all the memories they shared in that house... But I know its difficult with taxes and everything... It's just seeing this really makes me sad. It's a good thing that you found this house. Maybe the previous owner who passed away is happy now that though his family didn't inherit the property, a new family will be living there and the beautiful house they built will not go to waste. I cant wait to see the results of your renovation to your new home.
You wrote exactly what I felt when watching this and hearing about how the children didnt want to keep their family home.
What I get from the video and the commentary. Somebody worked really hard to build something a home to be proud of for the generations. A dream. Then the generations just moved on an changed, an what had been created no longer had any worth an it all just stagnated. Had no worth. Maybe perhaps.
I agree. It made me cry. All this "junk" once held sentimental value to someone. I hope his children wanted to keep this house if the taxes weren't high.
I think they will be kicking themselves in the future
It's pretty sad that no one wanted it. Just looking at all that stuff made me think, "Wow, this guy worked hard."
Absolutely Fantastic! Please keep us posted as your farm progresses. The potential is extreme. Please get the farm going again.
The buildings are so beautiful. I love traditional Japanese houses. You're so lucky.
Thanks for watching!
That was a very expensively built house back in the day, looks like good timbers still. I empathize with the 'clear-up' prospect though, .......4 years into my own 'abandoned farmhouse' saga here in the mountains of Shikoku , I'm still clearing out and finding things in boxes. I'd suggest you buy a little cheap 'K' truck and do it yourself, .....slowly. Only just found your channel, so I'll have to catch up on your progress, ......good luck, ....and again, that's a great house !
Thanks very much! I haven’t made it down to Shikoku yet, but definitely on my list. Would have loved to have got a place in the mountains but were constrained to this area. I’ve been thinking about getting a kei truck - been renting one from time to time but would be more convenient to have my own. In regards to the house, yeah, it would have been pretty expensive. We came across some receipts in the tidy up - can’t remember the exact figure but it was 40-50 million...
@@TokyoLlama You look pretty tall, so you've found out about driving Kei trucks meant for smaller people. I have 4 locally assembled Suzukis here in Burma. An American visitor is 6'5" and has to use several inches of cushions to drive. The abandoned cars may be good value and require little more than an oil change, battery, and maybe fresh gas. But I would suspect the Japanese government does not make it easy to keep older vehicles on the road, or transfer titles.
@@TokyoLlama pull the back seats out of that abandoned car and have at it. use it till it drops dead from the work.
As a former resident of Shikoku (eastern Ehime), I can't help but be biased, but I think the areas around the Setouchi Sea are some of the most beautiful in all of Japan. Ride from Hiroshima to Ehime on the Shimanami Kaido and you'll see. Every region in Japan could say it's unique and special, but this proud Mikan can't help but sing the praises of Shikoku to all who might listen.
@@fixt100 , now somebody is making a lot of sense in keeping costs down , as that is away from big centers ( I assume ) it should not be difficult to get it going as part of the estates property , even by Japan standards. Anyway good luck to the owner and put is "back to work"
A daunting, but exciting prospect. I just discovered these videos, and I can't wait to see what you guys have been up to!
The house is stunning with soooo much potential!
My knowledge of Japanese homes is derived from movies and anime. Just from this clip I was pleased to recognize construction styles and features familiar from those sources. This appears to be traditional style construction and depending on your budget and enthusiasm it could become an enviable property. Perhaps there's a magic Go board hidden in one of those sheds.
I saw this video so long ago but came back today for inspiration, since I'm about to buy one of my own. Seeing where you were at the beginning and how far you've come is amazing.
You got your hands full, but it is totally do-able. I have done a project similar in the US. It took literally five 40 yard dumpsters just to clear out just the trash in all the buildings. Then took almost 2 months just to tackle the brush and overgrowth. Finally it was under control, then the remodeling began. The journey was rough and in the beginning seemed daunting, but soo satisfying along the way watching the transformation and the feelings of little accomplishments along the way. In the end was almost sad it was finished. haha
I can imagine that I'll miss it once it's all done!
@@TokyoLlama Do you know why there's no japanese people rent or bought this house ?
@@claritoresdiano1021 One other Japanese person bid on the house, and my wife, who's Japanese, bought it. But most Japanese wouldn't be interested in clearing up such a mess, or having such a large block of land.
the architecture is a hidden gem underneath all the abandon mess. So much potential. Very Nice Find.
Thank you for watching! Yes, it definitely has a lot of potential.
WOW, the wood work alone makes this unbelievable farm a jewel!!! The age and the joinery of the structures! So beautiful and magical! I guess as a dreamer I see what it was and what it could be again. Having built two homes and desiring to build another I am awe struck with the ideas of incorporating such a design into our next tiny home! Also here in The EU, Italy we can no longer find any ORGANIC Tofu, if it is found the prices are frightening! Non GMO and organic Tofu is presious! So many of us have almost forgotten what it tastes like! Seems with your command of English and the fact that there is an out door kitchen, perhaps a revival may be a very good idea!
The EU, along with the UN, is one of the most disastrous mistakes of modern history. The damage, economic and cultural, caused by that unholy globalist alliance might not ever be undone. It really is a shame to watch the birthplace of western civilization collapse into just another third world ghetto.
@@susangarland6869 I concur with some of your statements, however I am not from The EU!
@陈威 lololol
spent my childhood at my granpa's village, he is a farmer and I can literally smell this video!
Yes, especially the jamban cangkung 5:31 you know, feeling so kampung sgt😆
@@aungmyintoo4635 Yup, got outdoor toilet too. Paling horror nak guna waktu malam2
Looks like it was in a state of decline long before it was abandoned. You can tell at some point this place was loved.
Very loved. Just looking at it made me respect the man that worked hard to own it.
What a life lived. Both for the previous owners, & now for u and your kids.
Your way of filming was eerie but I REALLY enjoyed seeing everything!
Reminds me of a video game that I played. The zombies are just around the corner.
That is a very large property!!! Sad it didn't go to the children, but glad that you are there to own and restore it. I'm new to your channel, so excited to see what's next!
I'd love to hear what your wife thinks about this. Knowing Japanese women, you must have had to give her quite the sales pitch to get her to agree to move to the sticks.
Lol, you know Japanese women well then! Yes, it took a bit of convincing my long-suffering wife. But I was genuine in wanting to get space outside for the kids, and she wanted the same.
@@TokyoLlama
Hello! 👋 This is a Japanese long-suffering woman.
Yvan R: You would think that the ghosts would be happy that some respectful person is taking care of their former home again.
She married an Aussie... she knew what she was getting in to! 😂🤣
This house is 100 years more than so beautiful enjoy your stay nice and good environtment
This place looks amazing. Looks like good fun rebuilding and should be amazing once it is all finished.
Wonderful! So glad to see someone actively working to preserve Japan's cultural heritage!
Beautiful Japanese craftsmanship!
There may be some things worth selling there! Including for scrap!
That place is going to be a gem when it's cleaned up I'll subscribe to keep up
Thanks, appreciate it! Will have a new video coming soon.
You have been abundantly blessed, like another comment made I truly hope you keep it as original as possible.
This house is beautiful! Abandoned buildings are almost always interesting, because in a way it's almost like an archaeological expedition - all the things left behind, coupled with the features of the house itself. If buildings could talk, I'm sure this one would have plenty of stories to tell.
Definitely - we’ve discovered many interesting and useful things since buying the place. There are stories for sure, the neighbours have filled us in with some details, but nothing too dramatic!
I watched all the videos! You and your family did a wonderful job refurbishing this house and yard! Thank you for showing this as it is absolutely interesting. I wish you and your wife a happy life and enjoy your new house!
Thank you for a very informative video on abandoned homes in Japan. My family and I are Aussies living in DC and we fell in love with Japan, we have been back so many times and we were interested in buying a house when I stumbled across your video. I don't think we will ever have the stomach to undertake such a big project (but we do that with properties here where we live) The risks sound too big for us and too long drawn. I would be so interested to see your finished house in the months to come!
Thanks for your comment! I do think it can be done more efficiently than we're doing - one of my reasons for doing these videos is to help with the process and make it easier for others thinking of doing the same. Though I can understand that it might have the opposite effect at this point! Maybe when it's done it will be more encouraging... Once we've finished I'll put a video of the whole process and how to avoid some of the mistakes we've made.
@@TokyoLlama Thanks, on the contrary! I think that your video gives people a clearer idea whether it can be undertaken or not. All the best of luck on your renovations, it is a beautiful house, you struck gold with the traditional architecture.
Wow, your videos really transport viewers there! Only the smells are missing. Thank you so much for posting!
I admire your courage to tackle such a massive clearing and restoring job. I'd be terrified of the amount of work needed - but I can also see why you're doing it. The house is absolutely stunning, and thankfully seems to be in good structural condition, and the whole place feels lovely if you can see past the junk and the overgrowth. It's great that you and your wife are breathing life back into this property. Keep up your amazing work and best of luck to you and your family!
That tractor is going to come in handy for the yardwork 😁
Yes, having just started watching this saga, I'm so curious whether you used the tractor!
Thank u for sharing this video.I hope ull show more around and about ibaraki,thank u for featuring this..it brings back the old and happy memories.
It's kinda sad to watch and think that all the work these persons put up for this house, all the memories, everything will end up in the garbage, since it's not passed to family members. It's not like buying an empty used house, this has it's 'soul' or whatever you want to call it still attached to every single corner. I hope you and your family live happy in this house and turn it into a home.
This place looks amazing, i can only imagine how beautiful it was when it was regularly maintained!
Oh my goodness! What a gem.
I think that's a rice dryer. I'd lease it out. The dryer, not the home.
get it working and lease it's use out to the surrounding farms. you're surrounded by rice paddies!
Oh, WOW! This has so much potential for fun! Boatloads of hard work to realize your own transformation story!! Gorgeous. Be safety conscious & best of luck & grit & perseverance to you & your wife.
It is really a huge house and a huge garden - tho it could be challenging to keep such a big house warm in winter (cause as we all know "Winter is coming" - and winter is not really warm in Japan either unless one lives in Okinawa ... :D ) - what kind of heating system is installed already? I have heard that Japanese houses usually have a notoriously badly insulation so they can get rather cold in winter. On the other hand in summer it must be really pleasant, having all those slide-doors for a better air-circulation.
You're right, it's designed to be relatively cool in the summer and cold in the winter. We found lots of heaters, no other heating systems, and few fans. We're insulating the walls and floors, which should hopefully make it better, but still won't be up to modern western or Japanese standards.
I guess the Japanese plan is to gather all the family in a single room and just heat that one room. Which is not entirely a bad thing, yet it does seem crazy to see the Japanese fooling around pouring kerosene into portable heaters... like a temporary solution to a permanent problem!
You acquired a diamond in the rough.
Love, attention and dedication will make this a wonderfull family home.
What a gorgeous old home. Shame that no one wanted it.
Unfortunately there are many homes like this Japan - hopefully more people consider renovating old homes instead of buying new ones.
Just learned of your channel and about to binge watch. Having once lived in Japan I'm looking forward to this restoration.
what blows my mind are the fact that the abandoned things are untouched lol, i mean everything would be gone in less than a day here in my country
I wonder why so many mansions are abandoned by multimillionnaires and billionaires especially in USA and Europe? Can someone explain?
@FacePuncher Makes sense.
LaperCog INA if this is in US, place will be trashed and homeless take over.
@@saranaidu9836 One word...TAXES
@@saranaidu9836 I was thinking everything in japan is different
But not abandom is abandom every were¡
Would love to watch the progress of restoration. Love the old architecture. Lots of luck with the project ! Subscribed !!
looking to this house like this, is kinda of sad ...
Someone's life long blood and sweat right there.All left at the end...really nice wood work !
Yeah, I was like, what happened to the owner? Did he die suddenly? Alone? That he wasn't able to come back home?
@@lusifonsi6703 yes! I had the same thought about it :(
Makes one think... You know we really can't take anything with us when we leave this existence.
However this owner left something beautiful here for these fresh faced people. Arigatogozaimasu.
Same thoughts, couldn't help but imagine the time when the owner lived, things weren't dusty and plants weren't dry... just felt nostalgic over someone I've never met but suddenly missed... Also It's an overall beautiful house.
That is awesome. At nearly 70, I would still turn that yard around in a few days. The rest of it, well, that would be a work of art, as it ought to be. Very well done.
The property is huge. The previous owner was rich to have all those possessions by himself. He produced his old rice most likely.
I hope your as excited to have a wonderful place like this as I was to watch the walk thru, truly blessed.
this is so sad, this family had the equipment to literally go farm to table for mochi. Patty fields, tractors, husk removers, rice washing machine, mallets of different sizes and 2 vans to transport the goods. All of those are really expensive, I don't think they bought them just to last 30 years. Not to mention they had sheds and an outdoor kitchen and toilets away from the family's house, probably for their workers.
This house replaced their previous, less impressive minka, so the family had been there for a couple of generations. A lot of the tools had been there before the house was built. In fact, the bathroom block was from the previous house. One of the neighbours, who we were friends with from before, and who gave us the inside information on the house before buying, was born in one of the sheds there.
Tokyo Llama wow it’s nice to know the neighbours welcome you enough to share the history you bought
@@TokyoLlama wow!!
i find this amazing but also quite maddening. it's a problem you see all over japan, where people just stubbornly refuse to believe that times change, and plan for the future as if the past is eternal. hand made mochi are really great but that's just not a part of life for anybody anymore and they won't regularly fork out extra money for them to make this a viable business. all over japan there are examples of ill-considered attempts to revive the past, which are always met with no more than a limited and very short-lived enthusiasm. it's sad that people are migrating to the cities, but that is the way things are.
And he remove all of that in the next vid. :( the rice grinder machine(idk the English name lol) is in good shape. And can do so much rice in once sitting. I hope i can have that.
I see so much potential. The architecture of the house is just amazing. I hope you continue to make videos through the restoration process, I can't wait to watch!
Ur right.. It needs to be clean and I have this feeling that he had the best out of his money..he can resell some of the space or lease it..its a wonderful place..I don't know why the children don't want to inherit it knowing that house and lot in Japan is so expensive that is why my friend just rent..or the family maybe so rich that is why they don't need it anymore..but if I am one of the children.. I would keep the place,restore.
I in vision a "Party Shed"! Cook outs or a Tea room where you could serve lunches or weddings. In-Laws guest house. This place has potential!
BTW the big machine is for rice production, either hulling or drying.
Omg so many workshops! I absolutley love it! I would designate a certain area a little skate park, a woodshop for making boards. A screen printing area, the possibilities are endless. I wish I could have that!
Kinda reminds me Of my Neighbour Totoro but messier ;) lol
Omg you are right!
Wow! That is a beautiful historic home. How awesome of you to purchase it.
Just found your channel, really cool property. Best wishes to you and your wife.
Thanks very much!
Glad you felt the need to post this. So interesting. I'm in the US and I buy and sell houses. Abandonded housed here get sacked immediately. I saw someone else comment different culture. I would hope that's why your house survived. And i love the architectural element of this farm house. I believe I would have not hesitated to buy it either. Good luck to you and your wife and hope you have much joy there.
I keep waiting for the soot balls to go hiding in the corner, or even a Totoro peaking out.
Lol
I was thinking to myself, this is where Totoro must live. lol
I'll stick around to see the house after all the cleaning and renovating! :D great videos, very interesting!
this is my dream, move into an abandoned house and write a book.
That is a lovely house and it will be even more beautiful after renovations. Congratulations on getting such a wonderful property at such a great price. I hope you'll post the finished product.
its kind of funny that people who live in the country side wants to live in the city
and the city folk wants to live in the countryside
its like a dog chasing it's own tail
We always want what we don't have. Or 'grass is greener on the other side'.
I also am envious. Brings out the explorer in me. Yes I do enjoy a good pilfering. The vehicles easy fix, the architecture amazing. I'd work it for a season stay.
looks like the haunted house out of the original Japanese version of the ring!
This house is absolutly beautiful. Great deal.
that's a rice dryer and probably a rice mill. Good find!
8:08 I think that machine back in there separates the rice from the hulls... it blows air (possibly by turning the crank wheel that is visible) and the lightweight hulls or chaff blow out through one chute while the denser rice grains fall more straight down into a different chute.
Omg this place is awesome!! Yep the clean up will be huge, but it has great bone and will look fabulous when you finish. Look forward to seeing it.
Subbed. This will be interesting as my wife and I are contemplating retiring in Japan. Get a couple of cats for rodent clean up.
Thanks very much for subscribing. One thing we haven't found any sign of is rodents, which was surprising, especially having moved from London.
Cats don't work only peanut butter and a mouse trap work against rats
@@catsbyondrepair ..I totally disagree. My cat is an excellent ratter! 🐱🐈👍
Wow! So beautiful. It looks like your little personal palace.
6:55 Judging from the curved beams I would say it's from the Edo-period or perhaps trying to emulate the Edo-period.
Emulates the Edo period, as he said the house was built in 1987.
A beautiful house. I'm happy you saw its potential. Looking forward to see what you make out of it.
Is this house evidence of the demographic shift in Japan, how nobody's having kids and older Japanese are dying leaving tons of property empty?
I found you Yesterday and I´m amazed. I saw Renovations of French Chateau and some Italian Houses but this is a whole new Level.
Besides the Yunk and Trash, it´s in a quit good Condition and I´m excited to see how you bring it back to Life.
What an amazing find, Bloke! Bit of work ahead there... What did the old gemtleman farm?
Rippa duny!
Thanks mate, he was a rice farmer.
That main entrance in 3:25 is just so beautiful! I'd love to see that gorgeous house restored.
I love your house ! Yes it is a lot of work but it will be so great for your family..
It has been a dream of mine to do the same.
I have been studying housing in Japan for the last two years in view of buying a holiday / retirement home for my wife and i.
We were thinking Chiba or maybe Kyoto
One concern for us is the heat in Japan during summer.
I have experienced Japan in August once and wonder if we could survive it.
Does your house have aircon ?
Thanks very much! Yes, I think if you do something like this you have to enjoy the work and the process. I can understand what you mean about the summer. It's very hot right now - everyday around 35 from morning to night. Kyoto is even hotter I've heard. The house doesn't have aircon right now. We're not sure if we're going to put it in - it's designed to be cool in the summer (but cold in winter). We may see how we go living in it next summer then decide.
@@TokyoLlamaHello and thanks for your prompt reply, . I am quite amazed at how many Japanese homes do not have insulation .It looked like there was some ceiling insulation in your attic clip. I take it there is none in the walls and floor. I have found a lot of Akiya sites listing homes, and you are right a lot are for rent rather than sale. I have looked through the Ibaraki vacant homes but its hard not knowing the areas. We would want a home with in walking/cycling distance of a railway station. Can you suggest an area in Ibaraki ?
Keep those videos coming . I wish i could come and help, just a bit far from NZ.
That's right, there's no insulation in the walls and floor. Unless you want to live near Tokyo, I would live a bit further out in the mountains. North Ibaraki is underrated - it's got mountains as well as some decent beaches by Japanese standards. Not as far north, but I went cycling around Mt Tsukuba, and finished up in a small town called Iwase on the Mito line. That looked a nice area, and relatively close to Tochigi and the Urabandai, which are beautiful areas.
Speaks to the temporary existence and impermanence of man. What meant so much to someone is no more and to another so much. Cant wait to see it transformed. Great artists studio or colony.
Dude the urinal is awesome and you should turn that building into your work shop your going to have a big and long hunny Do list buddy
Mate, that urinal is not connected to the sewerage so I'm going to have to fill that at some point and remove it. That section has become a pretty cool little firewood storage. Yes, already decided to turn it into a workshop (starting work on painting one of the rooms tomorrow), but not really sure what to do with the second floor, not really convenient for bigger tools or materials.
@@visalakshimahadevan612 Yep....the 1.75% that immigrants make up of the population of Japan is just hurting them so, so much. I just couldn't stand to believe how ANYONE could live in such a society, completely and utterly horrible....
@@visalakshimahadevan612 ~ I L L U M I N A T I J E W I S H B A N K E R S ~
I thought the ccp controls china
@@visalakshimahadevan612 Please get the help you need
Wow! That place is amazing! Lots of work ahead of you!
nevermind fixing up the house.
considering the place has been abandoned for five years, you've gotta clear a ton of vegetation from the property. and sort through everything out there, change the toilets at that outhouse/potential guest house, find the keys for those cars.
though to be honest, the ceiling in the potential guest house looked solid enough despite the fact that the place had been abandoned for five years
Omg I hope you document every little step this looks like an amazing project never find anything that this in Aus that's for sure good luck mate
This video makes me antsy to put on a podcast and start sorting, cleaning and repairing.
this, want to do it so bad
Amazing! Good on you! I need to do more research on owning properties and perhaps moving to Japan! Love your work and thank you for sharing!
I hope your Abandon house doesn’t have a curse on it
They actually performed a Shinto ritual to get rid of curses 😂
@@alexeru6154 I hope Kayako Saeki does not mind the Shinto ritual.
Hello! Thank you so much for your time and effort to make these videos! It is very informative and honest and can help many people. My husband is also from Ibaraki, but we live in Tokyo now. We have been thinking on moving out of Tokyo for a few years now, so your information is very needed for people like us.